Image capture apparatus

Abstract

An image capture apparatus includes an image sensor, a determination unit which determines one image capturing mode, a driving unit which drives the image sensor by different driving methods in the respective image capturing modes, and a control unit which controls the operation of the driving unit. The image sensor includes a plurality of two-dimensionally arrayed pixels, a predetermined number of vertical output lines arranged for each array of pixels, and a holding memory which holds pixel signals from pixels on rows. The control unit drives the image sensor in the first power save mode when a horizontal transfer period is not less than twice a vertical transfer period, and drives the image sensor in the second power save mode when the vertical transfer period is not less than twice the horizontal transfer period.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to an image sensor including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix in the horizontal and vertical directions and an image capture apparatus and, more particularly, to an image sensor having a plurality of driving methods and an image capture apparatus.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Recently, with an increase in the number of pixels of an image sensor, it is necessary to read out pixel signals at high speed to ensure a frame rate or the like.[0005]For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-111821 has proposed a technique of increasing a frame rate by providing a plurality of vertical signal lines for one pixel column and simultaneously performing vertical / horizontal transfer for two rows.[0006]According to the conventional technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-111821 described above, however, since the number of readout circuits increases, the power co...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and suppresses an increase in power consumption while achieving an increase in the speed of reading out pixel signals.

Problems solved by technology

According to the conventional technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-111821 described above, however, since the number of readout circuits increases, the power consumption is high even at the time of operation which does not require a high frame rate.

In addition, the power supplies of readout circuits cannot be turned on and off at short time intervals due to the responsiveness of the power supplies.

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